12/12/2025
When to Use Abbreviations
Use abbreviations when they make writing clearer, shorter, or more standard. Common situations:
✔️ 1. When the abbreviation is widely recognized
Examples: etc., e.g., km, USA, Dr., ASAP.
✔️ 2. When space is limited
Examples: charts, tables, notes, text messages.
✔️ 3. When the abbreviation is more common than the full phrase
Examples: Wi-Fi, ATM, GPS.
✔️ 4. After defining the term once
Example:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing fast. Many companies now use AI systems.
✔️ 5. In technical, scientific, or business writing
Examples: CPU, DNA, ROI, API.
⚠️ Avoid abbreviations when:
The reader may not understand them.
The abbreviation has multiple meanings.
Formal writing requires the full term on first mention.
50 Common Abbreviations and Their Meanings
ASAP – As Soon As Possible
DIY – Do It Yourself
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
FYI – For Your Information
RSVP – Please Respond (Répondez s’il vous plaît)
AKA – Also Known As
BTW – By The Way
IDK – I Don’t Know
IMHO – In My Humble Opinion
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
HR – Human Resources
ROI – Return on Investment
R&D – Research and Development
ATM – Automated Teller Machine
GPS – Global Positioning System
USB – Universal Serial Bus
Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity
HD – High Definition
HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
URL – Uniform Resource Locator
API – Application Programming Interface
HTML – HyperText Markup Language
CSS – Cascading Style Sheets
A/C – Air Conditioning
Ave. – Avenue
Dept. – Department
Min. – Minute
Max. – Maximum
e.g. – For Example
i.e. – That Is
etc. – And So Forth
vs. – Versus
ca. – Circa (about, approximately)
UN – United Nations
EU – European Union
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization
WHO – World Health Organization
NGO – Non-Governmental Organization
CPU – Central Processing Unit
RAM – Random Access Memory
AI – Artificial Intelligence
ML – Machine Learning
IoT – Internet of Things
DOB – Date of Birth
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
kg – Kilogram
km/h – Kilometers per Hour
mL – Milliliter
